Theres Potential Benefits for Business

5. Microsoft won't demolish it
There
is some fear among critics that
once Microsoft takes control of Skype the software giant will eliminate all
the fine things that made the VOIP service so appealing in the first place.
That fear, however, is irrational. Microsoft has already made it clear that it
won't eliminate what made Skype special, including free calling and cheap
international calls. The only thing Microsoft will do is make its existing
products better with Skype's help. By keeping Skype the same, but making its
own services better, Microsoft is able to appeal to the VOIP provider's current
user base as well as those who haven't yet tried it out.

6. The enterprise could benefit

With
Skype's help, Microsoft will likely deliver some new enterprise solutions for
corporate customers who desire a new communication platform. Look for Microsoft
to double down on video conferencing for the enterprise as well as Skype's
voice communication. Though consumers might be the focus of Microsoft's Skype
acquisition, the enterprise is still an important concern for Microsoft.
7. It won't hurt non-Windows users
Following
Microsoft's acquisition announcement, Skype users on Mac OS X and Linux
immediately became concerned that the software giant would no longer support
their operating systems after the deal is approved. However, Microsoft has said
that it will continue to support non-Windows platforms with Skype. Will new
features come to the Windows version first? Sure. But that's already the case
with Skype. As long as Microsoft keeps its promise and supports other platforms
with future versions of Skype, no one should be scared by this deal.
8. It should help with Facebook
Prior
to Microsoft's announcement that it had acquired Skype, some reports surfaced
claiming Facebook wanted to buy the VOIP provider. Though that never
materialized, Microsoft's acquisition played in Facebook's favor. Microsoft
currently owns a small stake in Facebook, and the companies work together
closely. Facebook desperately needs a Skype-like communication platform to
round out its own offering, and what better way to get one than by partnering
with Microsoft on Skype? For the more than 500 million Facebook users around
the globe, Microsoft's Skype acquisition might prove to be good news.
9. A Google-Microsoft fight is a good thing
Aside
from Facebook, Google was also reportedly among the companies that wanted to
acquire Skype. Since Google was outbid and Microsoft has a platform that it can
use to take on Google Voice, another front in the battle between the two tech
giants has opened. Though some hope for Google to win and others want to see
Microsoft prevail, one thing is certain:
A battle between Microsoft and Google is good for everyone. The companies
will spend cash to innovate, they'll help the entrepreneur community by
acquiring smaller firms, and they'll continue to find ways to improve their
current services.
10. It gives Skype a better chance
Although
some believe that Microsoft will do more harm than good with Skype, the fact
is, the software giant came in at the right time. Google and Apple are both
rapidly innovating in the communications market, and the firms were encroaching
upon Skype's territory. With Microsoft's help, the VOIP provider now has the
billions of dollars in cash it needs to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Prior to Microsoft's acquisition, Skype simply didn't have the resources it
needed to take on Apple and Google. Now that it will after the deal is closed,
everything has changed in the marketplace. There is now a three-way competition
going on for dominance in next-generation communication. Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to
state that the U.S. Department of Justice, and not the Federal Trade Commission, approved
Microsoft's acquisition of Skype.

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology columnist. He started writing about technology for Ziff-Davis' Gearlog.com. Since then, he has written extremely popular columns for CNET.com, Computerworld, InformationWeek, and others. He has appeared numerous times on national television to share his expertise with viewers. You can follow his every move at http://twitter.com/donreisinger.